Wind Turbines Offer The Potential To Generate Electricity And Sequester Carbon Dioxide Simultaneously
Wind turbines offer the potential to generate electricity and sequester carbon dioxide simultaneously. Wind turbines, according to computer models, have been shown to pull polluted air from above a city or chimney into their wake. As a result, more carbon dioxide will reach the equipment that can extract it from the air. At a conference of the American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics on November 21 in Indianapolis, the researchers aim to explain their simulations and a wind tunnel test of a scaled-down system.
Author:Camilo WoodReviewer:Dexter CookeNov 01, 20229.3K Shares521.8K Views
Wind turbines offer the potential to generate electricity and sequester carbon dioxide simultaneously. Wind turbines, according to computer models, have been shown to pull polluted air from above a city or chimney into their wake. More carbon dioxide will reach the equipment that can extract it from the air.
At a conference of the American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics on November 21 in Indianapolis, the researchers aim to explain their simulations and a wind tunnel test of a scaled-down system.
Reductions Carbon Dioxide Amount By Wind Turbines
Reducing the quantity of carbon dioxide people release into the atmosphere might help mitigate climate change, but it wouldn't be enough on its own. Direct air capture devices, which remove some CO2 from the atmosphere, might be a part of the answer.
However, the vast majority of the CO2 released by these types of facilities - factories, power plants, and urban areas - tends to be concentrated at heights that are inaccessible to ground-based equipment designed to remove it.
Clarice Nelson, a mechanical engineer at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, says, "we’re looking into the fluid dynamics benefits of utilizing the wake of the wind turbine to redirect higher concentrations" down to carbon capture systems.
As big wind turbines that make power turn, they cause turbulence that pulls air down into their wakes, says Luciano Castillo, a mechanical engineer at Purdue. It is an effect that can make it possible to capture carbon dioxide, especially near big cities like Chicago.
Mechanical engineer Luciano Castillo, also of Purdue, explains that when enormous wind turbines whirl, they create turbulence that pushes air down into the wakes behind them. This effect may concentrate CO2 to a level that is easier to deal with, making capture a possible solution, especially near big cities like Chicago.
“„The beauty is that [around Chicago], you have one of the best wind resources in the region, so you can use the wind turbine to take some of the dirty air in the city and capture it. Wind turbines don’t require the cooling that nuclear and fossil fuel plants need. So not only are you producing clean energy, you are not using water.- Luciano Castillo, mechanical engineer at Purdue University
“„Even with tax credits and potentially selling the CO2, there’s a huge gap between the value that you can get from capturing it and the actual cost that comes with powering capture with energy that comes from other sources. Our method would be a no-cost added benefit to wind turbine farms.- Clarice Nelson, mechanical engineer at Purdue University
Nicholas Hamilton, a mechanical engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., who was not involved in the new studies, speculates that many factors, such as the interactions the turbine wakes have with water, plants, and the ground, will affect CO2 transport by real-world turbines.
Capturing Carbon Dioxide From The Air
Devices that can extract carbon dioxide straight from the air are now being tested by several universities and tech companies. The technique is effective, but current demonstration projects are both costly and power-hungry.
Filters or liquid solutions are used by the systems to remove the carbon dioxide from the air that is blasted over them. Once the filters are full, the carbon dioxide must be released, which requires electricity and heat. The procedure requires a carbon-free energy source to generate net zero emissions.
To do this, the biggest operational direct air capture facility in operation today makes use of waste heat and renewable energy. The Icelandic plant injects carbon dioxide into the rock underneath it, combining with the basalt to form a mineral called calcite. The use of wind turbines in offshore locations might facilitate a similar procedure.
If offshore wind turbines were paired with direct air capture systems, they could store collected carbon dioxide immediately under the sea bottom, eliminating the need for expensive pipeline infrastructure and providing an instantaneous supply of clean energy from surplus wind power. How these systems fare in maritime environments is now being investigated by scientists.
The use of direct air capture is only getting started on land, and any adaptations needed to make it work in the water would have to be substantial. But plans should be made now to ensure that wind power projects are built near places that store carbon and are set up so that platforms, subsea equipment, and cabled networks can be shared.
Offshore wind farms can help capture carbon dioxide in the air to cope with climate change.
Final Words
Most of the CO2 created by humans may be found at high altitudes. Using turbines to direct the waste to the ground would make collecting it easier. Concentrating CO2 from urban and industrial sources in the turbulent wakes of wind turbines facilitates its removal from the atmosphere. Most cities, power plants, and industries that release CO2 do so at high altitudes, where scrubbers on the ground can't reach them.
The turbulence created by the rotation of giant wind turbines that generate electricity causes air to be drawn down into the wakes behind the rotors, which are heated and compressed. This effect may concentrate CO2 to a level that is easier to deal with, making CO2 capture a possible solution, especially near big cities like Chicago.
Camilo Wood
Author
Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing.
Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers.
Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
Dexter Cooke
Reviewer
Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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